Top Five Benefits of a Hot Towel Shave

There are numerous benefits to receiving a hot towel shave. These include a closer shave, exfoliated skin that glows, and resistance to razor burn.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2cbhiqC

Five Tips to Find Your Next Barber

Finding a new barber can feel as challenging as finding a new doctor. Try these five tips before booking your next trim or cut.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bZunnM

Top 5 Reasons a Walk-In Clinic Beats an Emergency Room Visit

Skip the ER and head to a walk-in clinic instead. You'll experience shorter wait times, gain access to x-rays and blood work, and pay less overall for the visit.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bL43xa

Discount Drugs Help Cut Costs and Provide Convenience

Discount drugs obtained online improve adherence by giving patients a low-cost option. This service also offers convenience and privacy.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bQZvm6

Healing After Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, or Breast Augmentation Cosmetic Surgery

Among the essential issues of males and females who are thinking about cosmetic surgery treatments such as liposuction, tummy tuck, or breast augmentation is the degree of healing time after plastic surgery. With our busy lives, hectic work schedule, and endless household duties, males and females wish to know.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2cb36xE

Different Types of Medical Transportation

When a person is seriously hurt, one of the first things done is getting them to a hospital. Here is a look at the different types of medical transportation that are used to accomplish this.

from Health and Fitness:Healthcare Systems Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2cfYghq

Nick Offerman Struggles Through 60 Years of Workout Trends for Your Enjoyment

We know it's easy to make fun of CrossFit and SoulCycle, but compare them to the way people exercised in the 50s and 60s and you'll see how far we've come. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, Funny or Die got Ron Swanson Nick Offerman to demonstrate wacky fitness trends. Not convinced to hit play? Michelle Obama makes a cameo appearance (doing dumbbell curls, of course), because we can't talk about fitness today without FLOTUS.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bIg3RI

Cryolipolysis - The Ultimate Fat Freezing Solution

Cryolipolysis or Coolsculpting is the best way to remove stubborn, localized fat from certain areas of the body. There are lots of reasons to choose this treatment over traditional liposuction.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2c0mmOQ

These Terrible Pickup Lines Are Too Real for Women Who Use Dating Apps

Men of Tinder: What's with your love of the winking face emoji, tiger selfies, and gross pickup lines? OK, we're not talking about all men, but illustrator Emmie Tsumura managed to collect dozens of terrible conversation starters from her time on dating apps. They beg the question: "Has that ever worked for you before?" She turned the pickup lines into a funny—and all too real—Instagram account, appropriately named ok_cucumber. If you’re tired of swiping right, scroll through these photos instead and have a good laugh (or cry).

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bItvpZ

GreatistYou Day 25: Darby and Adrienne Stay the Course and Go the Distance

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

You think you've had a long week? Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) have you beat. The pair spent last weekend on the road, followed by a huge move that zapped their energy. Among the chaos, they still managed to find some time to work out and told us how excited they are to use their enormous new kitchen for cooking. Wait, an enormous kitchen in Brooklyn? How'd they swing that?

Still, when life hands you lemons... use those proverbial lemons to get healthy. During their move, Darby climbed the equivalent of 41 flights of stairs. Wow. They've also mentioned how pumped they are to take advantage of the basketball court nearby. Guys, Brooklyn is magical.

Meanwhile...

• Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) faced a tough moment while trying to figure out what to eat from a Whole30-unfriendly restaurant and had to pregame with kiwi, mango, and cashews.
• After finding out she has a better chance of securing an opponent in a slightly higher weight class, Regina (@greatistregina) has made the executive decision to end her diet. Woohoo! She's still looking for someone to fight, so if you're around 110 pounds and aren't too afraid to get into the ring with a Muay Thai master, let us know.
• Brandon (@greatistbrandon) threw together a random salad that we hope ended up being delicious. Please report back ASAP.

• Jessi (@greatistmentor) has some great ideas for leftovers (lookin' at you, Brandon). "This is one of my favorite healthy-eating tricks: mixing tons of extra veggies into whatever I have as leftovers! Try it for yourself -- see how creative you can get, and don't be shy about the veggies!"

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bVRnBw

Losing Weight With Healthy Choices

Time and again we come across two words low-carb diet and the real food type respectively. Those who are obese or think that their weight does not lie in the normal range are quite eager to lose weight quickly. However, many of them are apparently not informed, or there is a lack of knowledge about to how to lose weight effectively.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2ckXGSN

Easy Ways To Help You Lose Weight

People who are fat show some willingness to reduce weight to become fit. However, soon, they are tempted to eat a cupcake or two or even go for happy hour mojitos that result in them gaining weight fast. So the goal of weight loss becomes useless until you continue following a particular workout plan and eating what is relevant as well.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bI3HKK

Evening Primrose Oil - The Alternative Medicine for Hormone Health

If you live in a country where there is a health system available for you and your family; places such as Drs, hospitals and dentists, you will no doubt feel greatful for the medicinal help they can give you in your time of need. More and more people are now turning to complimenary, alternative natural medicines to treat their ailments.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2ckNlGK

From Morocco With Love - The Culinary and Cosmetic Argan Oil

When you think of Morocco, bright colours, carpets, spices and streets full of hustle and bustle come to mind. The weird and wonderful food and oils on offer can make walking around their range of famous markets a wonderul and exciting experience.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2ca9Ewm

Quick Weight Loss Advice From Fitness And Nutrition Experts

You'll think it's bad because you're taking a short-cut, but there are smart benefits of quick weight loss. Quick weight loss actually has long term benefits, because mainly, that's your starting point. When you lose weight quick, you get a psychological boost. From there, you feel motivated to keep to your new health and fitness habits.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2c6KiRF

How To Cut Out Processed Foods For Weight Loss and Energy

There is a simple harsh truth or good truth in your life and it depends on your point of view. The truth is if you want to lose weight, reduce pain, have more energy or better manage autoimmune disease, then you need to stop consuming processed foods.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2cvASkR

10 Moves. 10 Minutes. 1 Kick-Ass Plank Workout.

When it comes to core strength, the plank exercise is like that best friend you can always rely on. The harder-than-it-looks move never lets you down because it strengthens every muscle in your core (not just the abs you can see) while also working your shoulders, butt, and legs. That's why this workout made up of plank variations is a must-try.

In just 10 minutes, you'll move through 10 unique, plank-inspired moves. Planks are usually static (or still), but you'll challenge yourself to incorporate small movements as well as engage additional muscles like your inner thighs to up the intensity. You don't need any equipment for this one (an exercise mat is optional).

To recap: Perform 2 sets of the exercises below.

• Plank
• Pike
• Rainbow Pike
• Chest Lift
• Side Plank
• X-Plank
• Diagonal Leg Slice
• Reverse Crunch
• Bridge

-Repeat-

Looking for more short and effective at-home workouts? Grokker has thousands of routines, so you’ll never get bored. Bonus: For a limited time, Greatist readers get 40 percent off Grokker Premium (just $9 per month) and their first 14 days free. Sign up now!

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bY9dX9

7 Quick-Fix Dinners That Make Weeknight Cooking a Cinch

Some Essential Grooming Tips for Men

You clearly know that people tend to take the judge seat when it comes to judging you based on how you look. You might have everything from the luxurious BMW car, a perfect 3BHK flat in the city, but then it does no good if you are dressed shabbily.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bMo3Ng

Tips to Finding the Best Beauty Therapy Courses

Beauty therapy is a growing industry. This industry includes everything from waxing to facials and pedicures to manicures. The course not only teaches you how to carry out different treatments, but it teaches you about skin and nails, so you can provide your clients in the future with a high level of care and service.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bFK1pG

What To Expect When Taking a Beauty Therapy Laser Course

Laser therapy is used extensively in the beauty industry from helping to treat acne to reducing hair growth. In order to provide this treatment, it is essential that you complete effective training so you can provide your clients with a safe treatment without any dangerous side effects. The demand for laser therapy is growing throughout the world, especially when it comes to skin care and hair removal.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bFMsU1

Article 3: America: Over-Prescribed - Diabetes - "Sweet Sacrifices"

As the seventh leading cause of death in America in 2014, with a consistent pattern of it remaining in that spot for the preceding years as well (Center for Disease Control), Diabetes is a preventable medical illness that is devastating America because of our own actions; or to be more honest, our lack of action. Diabetes presents itself in two forms: Type I and Type II. Without going into the medical details, these two types are similar, but all too different.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bVJIWI

Guy Makes His Name “Whiter,” Gets More Tinder Matches Because People Are the Worst

There's no guaranteed way to get people to swipe right on your Tinder profile. But one Reddit user in Toronto shared an experiment that shows many people in his area (at least subconsciously) stereotype him based on his name. The user, who goes by the name FUTBALAR on Reddit, said he was surprised by how few matches he was getting. His roommate recommended he change his name on the dating app from Ahmad to Nick.

Guess what? With that little tweak, he racked up 28 matches in four days. While it's far from a scientific experiement, Ahmad's story (check out his full post below) suggests that discrimination based on racial and religious stereotypes is a serious problem on dating apps.

I am a fairly handsome guy, I am athletic, confident and outgoing. Also, I'm 6 feet tall and have added some quality pictures on Tinder (mind you, no selfies). I never had problems meeting women in real life. However, Tinder never worked for me they way it did for my friends. (Six matches after two weeks and only two, one-word replies.) The first thought that came to my mind was: "Well, maybe I'm not as good looking as I think I am." But that did not explain the fact that a lot of lesser attractive guys got exponentially more matches than me.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with my roommate about this, and he suggested that my Middle Eastern name might be the reason for fewer matches. So I did a little experiment: I changed my name from "Ahmad" to "Nick." Everything else was the same (the bio, pictures, age, height, etc.). I swiped right on all profiles in both scenarios.

Behold, I am on the fourth day and have already got 28 matches. It's sad... but , f*%k it. I am Nick.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bGAqNG

These 5 GIFs Show How Menstrual Cups Work—Because We Know You Have Questions

Menstrual cups are finally going mainstream. They're easy to find at any pharmacy and sales for The Diva Cup, the most popular brand, have grown by double digits every year for the past decade.

Most women didn't have the luxury of learning about menstrual cups in sex ed, but it's 2016, so we've got handy GIFs to explain how they work and answer the most common questions. (Is that really going to fit? How often should you take it out? What happens when you go to the bathroom?) And if you're a guy who's still reading, props to you. This is what equality is all about.

Yes, it will fit! Pinch it and fold it like a burrito.

If you're used to tampons, the diameter of a menstrual cup is enough to make you say, "Nope!" But all you've got to do is pinch the cup in the middle and fold the sides together. Ah, that's better!

Then, wiggle it in, push gently, and wait for a pop. ​

Using clean hands, spread the lips of the vagina and shimmy the cup inside. Once it's secure, push the cup farther in—the same way you would with a tampon. The cup will open up inside, and you can set it and forget it (for up to 12 hours). Side note: You won't have to push that far. Vulvas are much shorter than what's shown in this model.

You may need to readjust after going to the bathroom.

It's totally normal if it takes longer to pee. And after you poop, the cup may pop out a little. If that happens, take clean fingers and push it back into a comfortable position.

To get it out, just push and pull.

Bear down (a.k.a. push like you are about to poop) and the cup should slowly move out of your vagina. Once you see the cup, gently press it down to break the seal and pull it out. Don't worry about making a mess—women typically overestimate their flow, so most times the menstrual cup isn't even close to being full when you remove it. Just make sure you take the cup out over the toilet, so you can tip it right out.

Still have more questions? Check out the video below for the full explanation:

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2cfVA3Q

GreatistYou Day 24: Jasmine Conquers Planet Fitness

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

Romance is in the air, and it smells like sweat. Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) has sparked a relationship with Planet Fitness, and things are getting serious. Yeah, we're beyond impressed by her dedication to both clean eating and fitness. We hope this love affair gives you that hurts-so-good feeling you get in your legs after an hour on the stair machine.

What Jasmine's really getting into is Planet Fitness's 30-minute circuit and total-body enhancement machine, though she's not quite sure how the latter works. It vibrates and plays music, so... science? Working out at a gym that declares itself a "judgment-free zone" is a great way to minimize the anxiety that accompanies us all when starting a fitness journey.

Meanwhile...

• Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) have their hands full unpacking their new apartment but are simultaneously living on a prayer and on the edge with the amount of running they're still doing. Can't stop! Won't stop!
• Brandon (@greatistbrandon) faces one of his greatest opponents yet: the food truck. Don't even look at it, man—it's just a car. A car that serves artisanal takeout but a car nonetheless.
• Regina (@greatistregina) leaves us with a much-needed letter of encouragement. It's important to step back and remind yourself that, well, see below...

• Jessi (@greatistmentor) looks awesome in the workout clothes we sent her. Hey, it's the least we could do.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bGpEXR

Medical Transcription Service is a Great Game Changer for Paramedics

Can medical transcription services be of use to paramedics? Can it transform their way of working? Find out.

from Health and Fitness:Healthcare Systems Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bEYZMr

Different Ways to Control Hunger And Lose Fat

Everyone who is on a fat loss diet program has felt hunger pangs inevitably while following the diet. For anyone to lose fat in a systematic way, it is important to know that your intake of calories should be controlled and monitored while on a diet.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bEOKI2

Learn How to Stay Fit During Pregnancy

Staying fit during your pregnancy is considered a big ordeal. Whatever your weight was before pregnancy, once you see your belly protruding, the weight will and must go up. This weight gain is not unusual; it is a sign that all is well within.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bFXOuC

How To Bust Food Cravings For Weight Loss and Wellbeing

Food cravings especially for sweet things is often a major hurdle for those wishing to lose weight or improve general health. There are two core reasons why so many get cravings. Expectation and beliefs. We grow up seeing sweet foods as treats or rewards. Special times are celebrated with cakes or spectacular desserts. We expect to suffer if we can't eat sugar rich foods. Adults take a childlike delight in choosing desserts in a restaurant, and a coffee is usually accompanied by a muffin or cake of some kind

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bXCWPi

About Apitherapy

Royal jelly, bee venom, or the use of pollen, are several of the bee products which are used by those who partake in the practice of apitherapy. What is apitherapy? What are the benefits of using products derived from bees, such as propolis or bee venom? Does it really work for treating pain, swelling, inflammation, or other chronic conditions? These are a few of the basics surrounding this form of non-traditional, natural, medicine.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bTcl3V

Nutrilicious Diet Shakes For Women

Replacing 1 or 2 of your meals a day with nutrilicious diet shakes for women packs the punch for weight loss. Yes, taking diet shakes for women can help you shed off a significant amount of pounds, and that's sustainable weight management. How do you choose the best meal replacement shake?

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bEoLBU

These 7 Brunch Recipes Will Get You Pumped for Fall

Tips On Losing Weight

Given that there are many people out there who are suffering from low self-esteem because of their unwanted fats and bulges, most of them are always looking for quick weight loss tip. If you are one of those individuals who want to have a safe and healthy process of losing weight, there are some weight loss tips that are sure to help in attaining their dreamed body weight.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2c9d69h

Vitaglow Cream

VitaGlow Cream is an all-purpose fairness cream. Once Vita Glow Skin Fairness Cream is in action, users need not to pay any extra-attention on their skin care. This is an all-in- one solution for multiple of skin related issues.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bDbhDF

You Have Power Over the Scale

Don't feel overpowered by the scale. You can control the scale. Manifesting your dream weight is possible. Make the scale respect your desires once and for all!

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2ccB97T

These Illustrations Capture the Crappy, Conflicting Messages Women Hear Every Day

Women just can't win. They're told to stand up for themselves but not be too assertive. If they dress conservatively, people ask why they're covering up. If they wear something more revealing, people call them sluts. These illustrations from Daisy Bernard capture the struggle perfectly. And they make a strong case for ignoring all of the nasty comments and just doing you.

Photos: Daisy Bernard/The Tab

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2cf43Hj

So It’s Possible to Die From a Hickey, but You Really Shouldn’t Worry About It

If you like leaving your mark on your significant other, this news is a little alarming: A 17-year-old from Mexico City died this week after a hickey on his neck led to a blood clot and eventual stroke. Before you get all worked up, death by hickey is super rare, says Jamé Heskett, M.D., medical director at the Well Path.

We only know of two other cases where hickeys led to strokes, and both of those women survived. It happens when suction on the neck creates a vacuum that shrinks the diameter of the carotid artery, causing it to clog. If you are concerned, Heskett has some simple advice: "Do the hickey below the neck and you’re not going to have a problem."

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2cf2aug

The Critical Difference

What is the difference between those who succeed and those who don't. Stuart uses his experiences to tell you what's holding you back.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2ccfSve

Your Ideal Weight Isn't What You Think

When I was a dieter I always had a goal weight that I thought would change my life. I’d get on the scale (if I was brave enough) and would hold my breath as I watched the needle move, calculating in my mind how many pounds away I was from happiness.

I don’t know what I expected to happen at that magic number.

In retrospect I don’t know what I expected to happen at that magic number. If I had been less delusional I might have acknowledged that the few times I did manage to reach my goal, I instantly adjusted it a few pounds downward, the flicker of joy suppressed by the sudden realization that an even smaller pair of jeans may be in my future.

Ugh. Dieting is the worst.

So what if you’re done with the dieting neurosis but still want to lose weight for health reasons? Is there a target or ideal weight you should shoot for?

I get asked this question a lot, and unfortunately there is no easy answer. There are, however, several frameworks and benchmarks you can use to help guide your efforts.

Science Can't Tell You

The first thing you need to understand is that science can’t tell you what you should weigh.

Generalizations about height and body weight as are used in the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation are meant only to inform scientists of population health trends, and are not supposed to advise an individual person about his or her health status.

For example, at my height (5'5") a "healthy" BMI could be considered anywhere from 111 to 150 pounds. Not only does BMI not care that I am a women and that I have a small frame, but it is inconceivable that my weight could fluctuate up to 30 percent and not have a dramatic negative impact on my health, as the BMI suggests.

Your BMI tells you almost nothing about how healthy you are (or aren’t).

Your BMI tells you almost nothing about your nutritional status, body fat percentage, or strength, and therefore tells you almost nothing about how healthy you are (or aren’t). It doesn’t even come close to giving you a sense of what proportion of your weight is visceral fat (dangerous), subcutaneous fat (only problematic at higher levels) and brown fat (metabolically advantageous).

BMI is particularly unhelpful if you are near any extreme on the height or size scales, for instance if you are very tall, very small, or very muscular.

Most of the critiques I’ve seen of BMI suggest that the measurement tends to give people a false sense of security about their health level. In other words, your BMI is likely to indicate that you are healthier than you really are, as opposed to the other way around. But again, this tells you nothing about your personal health status.

The Scale Doesn't Know

Taking this argument one step further, your body weight alone is also a very poor measure of your health. In fact, it tells you even less about your health status than BMI, which at least also accounts for height.

This means that the question, “What is my ideal weight?” is fundamentally flawed. Because the answer is, “It depends.” And it depends on a lot.

The question,'What is my ideal weight?' is fundamentally flawed.

Health is a vague term, since it can be applied to so many different aspects of your physical well-being. For the sake of this article ,I’m going to assume that for most of you “good health” means feeling energetic, physically able to do everyday tasks with ease, clear minded, and devoid of any physical illness or disease. I’ll also assume that your idea of good health means maintaining this status for as long as possible into old age.

Obviously you may have different, more specific goals. Athletes typically have performance goals, or if you have a chronic disability, your goals should be adjusted to account for limitations outside of your control.

You may also have vanity goals, which is perfectly fine in my book so long as they aren’t tied up in your sense of self-worth. If your life is easier at work or in the dating scene when you look a certain way, don’t let anyone tell you that isn’t a valid reason to keep tweaking your healthstyle until you’re happy. Life should be awesome, and you should do what you can to make it that way.

But none of these goals can be defined by the number on the scale, so focusing there is not the right way to start.

Here's What Really Matters

No matter what you weigh, if you aren’t getting the majority of your calories from real food, exercising vigorously three to five days per week, avoiding prolonged periods of sitting, getting seven to nine hours of sleep, and maintaining strong social relationships, then you could be healthier.

Don’t use a number on the scale as an excuse to drink soda or avoid strength training. That isn’t how it works.

I define 'ideal weight' as the weight you’re at when you’re doing everything you can to promote good health.

If you’re doing all these things, you’ll probably find that you feel healthy. You will have steady, strong energy throughout the day. You’ll have fewer cravings for sugar and not mind parking farther away or taking the stairs. You can zero in a bit more by having your doctor test your nutrients and blood lipids, but that’s about as good as you can do.

If that sounds like you, congratulations. Get on a scale, you’re now at your ideal weight. I define “ideal weight” as the weight you’re at when you’re doing everything you can to promote good health. It’s where you settle at naturally from incorporating these behaviors into your life.

For me this process took nearly three years as I learned to cook, built muscle, quit diet soda, and taught myself to eat mindfully. The bulk of my weight loss happened in the first 12 months, but there was a slow drop (four pounds total) over the next two years as I refined my habits.

The sweetest irony of all is that I ultimately landed seven pounds under my arbitrary “goal” weight. Take that, diets!

For every person there’s a range of weights that are near ideal, probably within five to 10 pounds (I’m speaking only from experience; science doesn’t know this for certain). Within that range you can start to consider secondary goals if you wish, like getting down one more size or bulking a bit at the gym. These things have little to do with health, but “ideal weight” means different things to different people.

No one can tell you your ideal weight, so for now you’re going to have to figure it out for yourself. The bathroom scale is a very useful tool, but the data it gives you is meaningless without context.

This post originally appeared on Summer Tomato. Darya Rose, Ph.D., is the author of Foodist and creator of Summer Tomato, one of TIME's 50 Best Websites. She eats amazing things daily and hasn't even considered going a diet since 2007. For a free starter kit to help you get healthy, sign up for the Summer Tomato weekly newsletter.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2crbNr6

Sexual Assault Survivors Are Using #IHaveTheRightTo as a Way to Reclaim Their Power

Sexual assault is way too common, affecting one in every six American women. But the names we know from high-profile cases—the Brock Turners and the Owen Labries—are those of the alleged rapists. We rarely hear from survivors. Their identities are protected, and for good reason. But sometimes it can feel like they get completely erased from the story.

Chessy Prout is one of those survivors. Her story made national headlines last year when Labrie, her alleged rapist, was found not guilty of felony sexual assault. Now Prout is talking a stand for survivors everywhere. She partnered with PAVE, a nonprofit focused on sexual violence, for the #IHaveTheRightTo social media campaign. Here's how Prout explains it:

#IHaveTheRightTo find my voice and to use it when I am ready. #IHaveTheRightTo be called a survivor, not an “alleged victim” or “accuser.” #IHaveTheRightTo spend time with someone and be safe. #IHaveTheRightTo say NO and be HEARD. #IHaveTheRight to not be shamed and bullied into silence. #IHaveTheRightTo not be isolated by the crime against me or by people who want to shame me. #IHaveTheRightTo name what happened to me because being sexually assaulted is never excusable or “complicated.” There is no perfect victim. #IHaveTheRightTo be happy, sad, upset, angry, and inspired anytime during the process of my healing without being judged. But most importantly, #IHaveTheRightTo stand with you.

Hundreds of people have rallied behind Prout by using the hashtag on Twitter. Here are just a few examples:

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2cr630x

GreatistYou Day 23: Brandon Skips Cake, Has Birthday Regardless

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

Happy birthday, Brandon (@greatistbrandon)! You're a year older, a year wiser, and (hopefully) a couple pounds lighter. Let's all applaud our man for choosing a plate of leftovers over an entire birthday cake. If you stick a few candles in that bad boy, you won't even notice the lack of frosting!

On Snapchat Brandon said he achieved his step goal simply by walking from his job to his house. When you've successfully combined fitness with transportation, you know you've made it.

Meanwhile...

• Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) are loving their new apartment and have already found a running route!
• PSA from Jasmine (@greatistjasmine): Make sure you use your produce before it goes bad. (Or put our tips for saving borderline-spoiled veggies to use!) She was also inspired by the madness of Bachelor in Paradise to successfully complete a 30-minute circuit.
• Regina (@greatistregina) loves the new workout clothes we sent her and is excited to put them to use! Special thanks to C9 Champion at Target for making it happen.

• Jessi (@greatistmentor) dropped some knowledge about daily movement: It's all about low-intensity movement like walking—not just hitting the weight rack and treadmill. Put that that wisdom to use and get outside.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bCkjjW

Oh Man, Watching What Soda Can Do to Your Teeth Is So Gross

We know soda isn't great for us. Each can is full of sugar (or if it's diet, artificial sweeteners). And dentists have always told us that sugary stuff can lead to cavities. But we didn't realize exactly the kind of harm soda can do to your teeth.

That is, until Chase Wiley, the kid behind the YouTube channel ScienceC, provided some disturbing visuals. He stuck one of his sister’s baby teeth in a bottle of Mountain Dew and another in a bottle of Coca-Cola for almost three weeks to see what would happen. Let's just say you can't unsee this.

First up, the Mountain Dew tooth:

Look at all that yellow. It's like buttered popcorn grew fangs or a miniature sushi roll put on yellow pants. Either way, it's seared into our memory now. Great!

OK, do you think you can handle the Coke tooth? Here goes:

Wait, that's not a Hershey's Kiss that melted in someone's pocket?! Yikes.

Now to be scientific we need a close-up comparison.

We're not sure which is worse. Technically the tooth that sat in Mountain Dew was more rotted (if you go by the amount of mass it loss), but we wouldn't want to walk around with a mouthful of the Coke teeth either.

It's worth noting that it's not exactly fair to compare teeth soaked in soda 24/7 for three weeks to drinking a can of Coke here and there. But if you're hooked on soft drinks, you could do some serious damage.

If you want to watch Wiley's full experiment (fair warning: it's science heavy), check out the video below:

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bSgNTn

Ashwagandha's Benefits For Immunity & Vitality

Ashwagandha is one of the most potent herbs and has been used since ancient times for a variety conditions. The herb is known for its restorative benefits.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2c06pti

What Works In The Array Of Herbal Diet Supplements For Weight Loss?

What are the best diet supplements for weight loss? It's tempting to try the most popular products if you want to lose weight quick, especially herbal diet supplements for weight loss. Are these herbal products for weight loss really effective?

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2cqHXCT

31 Potluck Recipes That Will Blow Guests' Minds (and Only Take You 15 Minutes)

How Water Can Accelerate Weight Loss

Drinking water is essential to losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle. It has numerous benefits from improving mood to decreasing appetite.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2c2G8bX

James Corden Pokes Fun at the Ridiculous Gym in Kanye West's New Music Video

Kanye West set the music video for his song "Fade" in a gym, but it's nothing like the kind we usually go to. Sure, there are machines and weight racks, but there's also a woman covered in oil, thrusting on the floor in her underwear.

After watching the music video's premiere on Sunday's MTV VMAs, we had lots of questions. (Does she know about the germs that love hanging out on the gym floor? Does she really need all that oil? And what's up with the sheep?) James Corden takes the words right out of our mouth in this fantastic spoof.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bPBS2q

Here's How Sushi Makes You Fat

Those cute bite-size pieces of sushi pack a wallop when it comes to calories. Here's the NOT-so-skinny on sushi!

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bDmDom

Detoxifying Properties of Aztec Secret Healing Clay

If your skin is prone to damages and is sensitive to stubborn blackheads, Aztec secret healing clay is just great to use because it is known for its detoxifying properties. Apart from it, it is perfect because it pulls the oil and dirt out of the skin.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bPwLgX

This Insane VR Experience of the National Parks is Like Planet Earth on Steroids

It's kind of hard to snap the perfect Instagram reap the benefits of spending time in the great outdoors when you’re stuck in an office all day. With Google’s Hidden Worlds of the National Parks, though, you can take a virtual trip to the most gorgeous parts of the country and procrastinate at work.

The website was created to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th birthday and uses 360-degree video to give you insanely lifelike tours of five national parks. You can watch thousands of bats fly overhead at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico or observe the stunning night sky at Bryce Canyon in Utah. Not convinced yet? Check out the teaser video below.

I Want to Explore!

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2c2l9Gq

Breakfast Made Easy

Everybody has always said, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!", yet so many people skip it in the morning. Try making overnight oatmeal for a fast, easy breakfast fix.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2c2keWa

More Lingerie Ads Show Women of All Shapes and Sizes, But Where Are the Black Bodies Like Mine?

When I heard about the Lonely Girls Project—a body-positive campaign from New Zealand-based lingerie company, Lonely—featuring Lena Dunham, I was excited.

I really love Lena. Like her character on Girls, Hannah Horvath, I'm awkward and stubborn and often battling my own mental health issues. And most of all, I'm fat and confident in my body and sexuality. My husband even started watching Girls without me because I reminded him so much of her character.

I checked out the #LonelyGirlsProject, anticipating an extension of her awesome attitude of body positivity and acceptance of all body types. Plus, the lingerie brand behind the campaign was founded in 2009 with the mission of "showcasing women wearing underwear in a way that we usually don’t see in mainstream advertising and the media.”

At first glance, the project seems to have accomplished its goal.

Photo: Lonely Girls

The photos on the brand's website and Instagram page are said to have never been retouched or Photoshopped. 
Each portrait is as individually sexy as the last. Each model exudes a specific kind of radiance—the kind that comes from defining what her partially nude body means in a nonsexual way. Each model exists in her own element, whether it's that of a surfer or a furniture maker.

It's empowering to see plus-size and average-size women embracing their beings in the name of self-love and lingerie. Some are adorned in tattoos, while other images feature bald or pierced women.

The only problem: Very few of these women look like me. I am a curvy, cute, dark-skinned black girl. I have kinky hair and I am not ashamed of any part of my body.

The Lonely Girls Project has almost completely neglected to include any black feminine bodies. 
Since 2014 the brand has only highlighted two visibly dark-skinned black girls, compared to all the tan and white flesh that's exposed in every other picture. And both of these women are average size versus the thicker white thighs that have a stronger presence in this campaign.

Where are all the dark-skinned black girls? Are we not allowed to be unapologetic about our bodies?

The message behind the project resonates with me, but when campaigns like this happen, I am reminded that not all feminism is for me. I wouldn't say I am surprised by the lack of melanin, but when the campaign is specifically targeting "women who wear lingerie as a love letter to themselves" and encouraging us to embrace our bodies, where are all the dark-skinned black girls? Are we not allowed to be unapologetic about our bodies?

It is no secret that black women's bodies have always been up for public consumption. (Even Katy Perry knows what #misogynoir is.) Like many women, we are almost always seen through an over-sexualized lens. Black women are more consistently painted as promiscuous, with the Jezebel trope being trotted out at every opportunity.

So when a large campaign like this is in a position to champion women and protest this kind of sexualization by men, it is almost more harmful to exclude black women from the conversation.

What can you do when your brand of beauty has been erased from powerful imagery? I decided to find out why. I emailed Lonely for answers and was pleasantly surprised by a polite response from someone named Sarah:

Hi Jagger, thank you kindly for your message, we have the beautiful Cynthia who will be featuring in our imagery more and more over the next season! Also, please do keep an eye out for our campaign releasing shortly which has a diverse range of Lonely friends and muses x

There is no doubt Cynthia is beautiful. She is also dark-skinned—and that's a phenomenal start.

I'm not saying everyone in this campaign needs to look like me, but when it comes to body politics, fat black femmes are the most often dehumanized in the media and disrespected in real life. Although this model is still thin, it's a step in the right direction for representation. In the end, I am still excited about this campaign and hope the company continues to make strides toward being more inclusive.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bXCMZe

OMG! My Wedding Makeup Trial Was a Disaster

A wedding makeup trial should give a bride an exact idea how she would look on her wedding day. Here are some tips on how to avoid a disastrous wedding makeup trial.

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bOGIIJ

GreatistYou Day 22: Regina Gets the Hang of Dieting and Waits for Her Fight

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

Are we having fun yet?! Judging by the amount of smiles, dancing, and selfies happening all across GreatistYou, it's safe to say we are.

Regina (@greatistregina) seems to actually enjoy preparing hearty, low-calorie meals and putting her body through rigorous training. Just refer to the numerous videos of her doing a celebratory dance on Instagram.

Still, that doesn't mean she's got room to coast. With four pounds to lose in only two weeks, our fighter must continue her diet while simultaneously focusing on technique and endurance. However the big question now is: Will she have a fight to participate in when September 10 rolls around? She has yet to find an opponent in her weight class and still doesn't know the status of the big match. Here's hoping!

Meanwhile...

• Jasmine (@greatistjasmine) shows us that no morning is complete without a big plate of eggs staring up at you.
• Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) shared a truly incredible pic of an old running spot back in California that could inspire anyone to leave the couch and go outside.

• Brandon (@greatistbrandon) deserves a sponsorship for the amount of promotion he's given Starbucks these past few weeks. Though it looks like all that coffee has sparked some good ideas: He's committing to not eating between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Oh, and Brandon, just make sure all that trail mix you're eating is good for you—these recipes should help.

• Jessi (@greatistmentor) wants us all to set our intentions for the week. What does that mean? Good question. "Be as clear as possible about exactly what you're going to take action on this week to get toward your goals," she says.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bz5rEG

Benefits of Using Herbal Cosmetics Over Chemical Based Products

Herbal cosmetics have flooded the consumer market. This is because they offer several benefits. Be it lotions or serums, they are gaining popularity. The article will help you to discover some of their benefits. Read more...

from Health and Fitness:Beauty Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bPhNr9

5 Alternative Proteins For Vegetarians

A healthy and balanced vegetarian diet can be a very effective solution to various health issues people face day-to-day. From lowering high cholesterol to losing weight, vegetarian food is a great option for treating all health problems. A lot of people are taking a turn towards vegetarianism to change their lifestyle completely.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bXjxiK

Is Fasting Healthy? The Pros and Cons

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a fasting diet and wanted to know the pros and cons? This article shares the health benefits of this alternative medicine as well as a few of the challenges.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2byCCXt

How to Make Ice Cream With One(!) Ingredient

How to Actually Achieve Your Goals Before the Year Ends

The leaves may not yet have fallen, but the transition from summerto fall is imminent. As vacation season comes to a close, it’s a natural time to evaluate the year—after all, there’s only one third of it left.

How are you feeling about 2016 so far? Many people answer this question in a dissatisfied way. They wanted to be earning more or weighing less by now. They wanted to be in a new relationship they adore or out of an old job they hate.

September is a great time to kick-start change and begin again.

The good news: September is a great time to kick-start change and begin again. For me, it marks the start of my “back-to-school” mode, when my focus sharpens and my motivation peaks. You don’t need a new calendar year or a list of resolutions to get your sh*t together.

The best way to kick off any positive movement? First, stop being so hard on yourself. Acknowledge the good things you’ve already accomplished this year. And they exist, even if it doesn’t seem like it—I promise!

Step One: Reflect

If 2016 hasn’t shaken out exactly as you’ve hoped, start getting back on track by asking yourself these two questions.

1. What unexpected lessons did I learn this year?

Did you discover a new favorite author or workout class? Did you learn to stop trusting a friend who doesn’t deserve your confidence? Did you stand up for yourself at work? Did you say yes to a spontaneous date, trip, or seminar? You don’t need to start a new job, run a marathon, or have a thriving side gig to have made progress. Heck—even turning something down this year (with relief) that you would have said yes to one year ago (just to please others) is a major sign of growth!

2. Have my desires shifted?

Think about that for a second. Do you still want the same things you did in January? Maybe your true desires have changed, but you still hold yourself to an old blueprint that leaves you feeling heavy and uncertain. Perhaps you wanted a promotion but really want a career change. Maybe you wanted to move to a new city, but you've met someone romantically who lives in your current town.

A friend of mine who is based in London came to New York in February for a business trip. Over margaritas she shared with me that she wanted to move here, and we were excitedly planning it. Six months later, she’s engaged (and pregnant!) after meeting a great guy at home and is now happily staying in the U.K.

Life is dynamic and ever-changing so it’s natural (and good!) for your desires to shift too. You’re also allowed to change your mind. In fact, the fast-moving evolution of life can be really encouraging!

Step Two: Set Goals

In the spirit of moving toward what you want (and it’s OK if it’s the same things you wanted in January), it's time to take action.

1. Write down three specific things you really, really want.

Imagine on New Year's Eve a friend asks how 2016 was for you, and you answer, “Incredible!” (and mean it). What are three things that would need to change between now and then?

Be as specific as you can. No one knows what you truly want but you. Will you have taken an overseas adventure to Thailand, earned extra income on the side as a yoga instructor, received a 20 percent raise, or gotten a dog? Write them down.

2. Set goals (and a timeline) for each desire.

No matter what anyone says, four months is a very long time! You can do so much between now and December 31. Using the above examples, you could set out and accomplish the following goals.

Travel to Thailand: Research flights and hotels online, evaluate funds, book time off work, and then buy the damn ticket.

Get a raise: Submit a brilliant project at work or go the extra mile in a way your manager will appreciate. When timing feels right, ask your boss for a 10-minute meeting where you share your salary increase request.

Earn money by teaching yoga: Create a list of 100 friends you can email about your new side gig. Tell the first three clients you’ll teach them for free in exchange for testimonials. Promote these kick-ass testimonials everywhere you can.

Adopt a dog: Research breeds. Visit shelters. Understand the costs and commitments of owning a pet and make sure it makes sense for your lifestyle right now. Go get one.

In fact, if you’re truly inspired, you could probably do all of this in one month (or less). It is that simple.

The purpose of any pain you experience is not to make you suffer. It’s to drive you to action.

It’s amazing what happens when we reconnect and become aligned with our desires. When get clear on what we really want and remind ourselves how capable we are, we can’t help but become motivated to take action. We kind of become unstoppable. So if you are starting this fall filled with discontent, remember the purpose of any pain you experience is not to make you suffer. It’s to drive you to action.

Susie Moore is Greatist’s life coach columnist and a confidence coach in New York City. Her new book, What If It Does Work Out?, is available on Amazon now. Sign up for free weekly wellness tips on her website and check back every Tuesday for her latest No Regrets column!

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bSTiIX

Everything You Missed During the First 3 Weeks of GreatistYou

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

If you've been too busy to check out the action, don't sweat it. We've whipped up a quick video to catch everyone up on GreatistYou—and share some highlights from our five awesome contestants. Sit back, relax, grab some popcorn, and enjoy.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bOyvqN

Leftover Coffee? Make These 7 Recipes So It Never Goes to Waste

Sorry, P90X, Muscle Confusion Theory Is Bullsh*t

Tell us if this sounds familiar: You start working out and you immediately see results. You run faster; you can lift more. But a few weeks later, you stop seeing progress. Plenty of trainers and workout programs (ahem, P90X) swear by muscle confusion theory. They say you can avoid fitness plateaus if you change up your workout frequently enough, effectively tricking your body before it gets too used to one routine.

But this is just another exercise myth, says Martin Berkhan, founder of LeanGains. You'll see plenty of gains if you do the same kind of workout, whether it's arm day or running, so long as you add intensity (reps, weight, or distance) over time. Plus, muscle confusion makes it super hard to actually measure progress. "Do the exercises in the same order and in the same routine that you did last week," Berkhan says. "Did you do one more rep with the same weight, or the same number of reps with five pounds more? That's progress."

To be clear, we’re not saying you’re now glued to one routine. Exercise is supposed to be fun, not boring. Just know that fitness plateaus happen—and trying to "confuse" your muscles won't help.

(h/t Science of Us)

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bvz8HS

You’re Wrong About Strippers—and These Comics Prove It

Strippers put up with a lot of sh*t. They’re accused of just wanting a quick buck. They’re shamed for using their bodies, rather than their minds to make a living. They’re asked patronizing questions (“What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?”). All we can say is thank goodness for Jacqueline Frances. The New York-based stripper calls out these unfair stereotypes in a series of hilarious comics she posts on Instagram. Now, she's turning the illustrations—all based on true stories from more than 300 strippers—into a coffee table book called Striptastic.

You’ll laugh at the sassy comebacks, but the comics also serve as an important reminder that strippers are just like all of us, working hard to pay the bills.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bMQldU

Women Go Topless to Remind Us That Men Do This All the Time and No One Thinks It’s Weird

Spend a hot day outside and you're bound to see plenty of men without a shirt on, exposing their nipples to the world. But if women do the same thing, people get up in arms. They gasp. They gawk. And that's exactly why GoTopless Day exists.

Yesterday, men and women in dozens of cities across the country marched with their nipples on display to point out the ridiculous double standard: We don't care if men go shirtless in public, but if women don't cover up, they could be fined or arrested in many places.

Check out photos from the marches below. The irony? You won't see any female nipples here. Instagram and Facebook deem that explicit content, which can't be posted on their platforms. So, yeah, we still have a lot of work to do before we get to true topless equality.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2byzk3t

GreatistYou Days 19-21: How Our Contestants Stay Healthy on the Road

Welcome to GreatistYou, a new social experiment where we see what happens when five people decide to change their health—and broadcast their journeys for everyone to see. Four goals, five contestants, and six weeks to crush said goals for the promise of a better life (oh, and $1,000!).

It's eerie the way the lives of our contestants seem to align. Last week everyone was gushing about the vibes of their fitness classes; the week before that everyone talked about resisting temptation (specifically dessert); and this weekend, a bunch of our contestants hit the road.

Let's start with Jasmine (@greatistjasmine), who spent this weekend helping her father move, which involved a lot of planning, heavy lifting, and driving.

Jasmine was smart enough to pack her own lunch for the car, which helped her combat the vast amount of fast food options. But while she's mastered the food prep aspect of Whole30, she is still struggling with the ghosts of cravings past. Hey, the last few weeks are the toughest, but you're so close, Jasmine. So close!

Meanwhile...

• Darby and Adrienne (@greatistdanda) were also on the road this weekend and—judging by the unhappy expressions on their faces—did not enjoy being stuck in traffic. They overcame their road rage by going on a run after their drive. That's one of the best ways to combat the effects of a boring car trip if you ask us.
• As always, Brandon (@greatistbrandon) manages to say everything we're thinking in just a few short sentences. Particularly when posing the question of whether or not mangoes are, in fact, dinosaur eggs.
• This weekend Regina (@greatistregina) reflected on her journey and shared some inspirational words. Despite gaining a pound (no biggie!), she remains optimistic and posted a video of her sparring back in March, proving she is leaps and bounds from where she used to be. We stand by our opinion that it'd be terribly frightening to run into her on a dark street corner.

• Jessi (@greatistmentor) shared some pretty amazing tips about stress, fitness, and weight loss this weekend. One particularly interesting nugget of information is the hierarchy of fat loss:

  1. Nutrition
  2. Sleep
  3. Stress control
  4. Daily movement
  5. Training

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bMbgh5

Why Quitting Running Was the Best Thing for My Health

In college, I lived along the main street in a very small town. Every morning, I looked forward to taking my coffee out to my miniature deck filled with Target plastic furniture. As this became my routine, I noticed someone else’s: a young woman who used the endorphins from running to jump-start her day instead of getting energy from caffeine in a cup.

I admired her effort and her dedication to staying active, while silently guilting myself for barely making it to the gym. I kept thinking: “I wish I could be the type of person who just got up and went for a run like it was no big deal.” It seemed unfathomable to me at the time, not only because athleticism wasn’t a big part of my life, but running? Well, it was hard.

My hero—my dad—and me Three years later, I was sitting on a different porch at a Mexican restaurant in my hometown, drinking a margarita, when my father told me that he had colon cancer. A retired fireman, my dad was always a superhero in my eyes, incapable of failing or being weak. While he had battled other minor health issues over the years, hearing the C-word in relation to someone I loved so dearly took my breath away.

It also inspired me to put my own well-being smack dab at the top of my priority list. Though I had attempted to run short distances before then, his diagnosis pushed me to sign up for my first half-marathon, in support of cancer survivors everywhere.

As I trained, I thought of my dad, unable to ride his bike like he loved or eat the kind of foods that he was so great at making. The very thought of him being held back by something potentially life-threatening would get me through long runs and unforgiving hills. If all he wanted was to walk without his stitches pulling at his stomach, surely I could make it through an elective run on a Sunday afternoon.

I finished my first half-marathon in Central Park in two hours and 12 minutes. I couldn’t believe I had successfully lapped my favorite park in my favorite city… twice. I also couldn’t wait to call my father to tell him that all of that hard work had paid off. But even better news came months before I crossed the finish line: The surgery was successful, and my dad was cancer-free. That day was so full of inspiring, emotional energy that I decided I wouldn’t stop running.

I ran some 10Ks. A few 5Ks. I did an obstacle race. I got into a marathon but chickened out. While I still thought of my dad often throughout my runs, I also couldn’t shake the way my passion for logging miles was waning—and more importantly, the way my body was responding.

Running started to feel like something I had to do to stay fit, and not something that relieved my stress.

My legs were always stiff and tired, and I had gained so much muscle that some of my clothes simply wouldn’t fit anymore. Running started to feel like something I had to do to stay fit, and not something that relieved my stress. I would blow off friends to make a daily run because I felt like if I didn’t, I wasn’t living the kind of life that I believed I owed my dad: one that was healthy and active and positive.

I didn’t end up listening to the red flags, and I paid for it, dearly. At mile 12 of my second half-marathon, I paused for water and when I started to run again, my left knee couldn’t handle it. Stubbornly, I made myself finish the race and went straight to physical therapy afterward.

For five very long months, I basically couldn’t do anything that put demands on my body. I grew frustrated, became slightly depressed, and turned to food for solace, ultimately gaining 20 pounds. I couldn’t find anything to replace the feeling running gave me or the message I hoped it sent to my family and friends (and myself). That is, until I discovered a new way of working out that didn’t involve endlessly pounding the pavement.

I started taking fitness classes—no, Richard Simmons wasn’t there, and they weren’t anything like the cheesy group aerobics you think of—and I fell in love. I went to a boxing class and learned how to throw a punch. I tried my first outdoor bootcamp class, and although I felt like crying halfway through, I made it—and have never felt more empowered. I started going to yoga and discovered that I was more flexible than I thought.

Working out in Central Park with a different perspective

Taking classes helped me realize I didn’t have to run a certain amount of miles per week to stay in shape. I didn’t need to have medals hanging from my dresser to show my dad that I cared about my health (and that I cared so much about him too). And even more than running, classes gave me a mental clarity that I needed: For one hour (and one hour only) every day, I had permission to just focus on being active and happy.

A year and a half, two rounds of Whole30, and five classes per week later, I’m 25 pounds lighter. I can do a yoga headstand. My right hook is mighty powerful. And when I do run—which is rare these days—my average pace is more than a minute less than it was when I ran every single day. I’ve found a confidence in class that I never had while on the road or the treadmill, and my body is happier without the constant stress and fatigue that running left me with.

The best part? I’m no longer trying to be anyone else but myself. I don’t have to measure up to that woman jogger who woke up at dawn to run. I can just be me. Plus my dad was just as proud of me when I called him to let him know I made it into the intermediate boxing class as he was when I finished that half-marathon. Maybe even more so, especially since he’s challenged me to a match when I’m home for Christmas.

from Greatist RSS http://ift.tt/2bM6AoJ

9 Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipes That Are Totally Easy to Make

Rural Health Check-Up Camps in Developing Countries

Rural health check-up facilities are of utmost importance in the developing countries owing to the millions of people dying across the country in need of extensive medical guidance and treatments. They are required to be better informed about their bodies to lead a healthier life.

from Health and Fitness Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bUkV5y

How To Beat Insulin Resistance And Lose Weight

For many people insulin resistance is on the road to type two diabetes. But the relevance for weight loss is that it is a part of metabolic syndrome X which includes weight gain and high blood pressure. Every cell in your body responds to insulin. It is secreted by your pancreas in response to high blood sugar levels. But over time for many people when the insulin attaches to a cell the lock fails to open and it is as if there has been no insulin at all.

from Health and Fitness:Weight Loss Articles from EzineArticles.com http://ift.tt/2bQEMkY